Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
More happy than not
Adam Silvera
More happy than not
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Adam Silvera
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
What would you do if your memories could be changed? Aaron Soto faces big challenges after losing his dad and feeling alone in the Bronx. When he meets Thomas, feelings grow, but will changing memories help or hurt more?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores heavy themes such as grief, suicide, abuse, and identity through the experiences of a 16-year-old boy in the Bronx. It includes mature topics like domestic violence, substance abuse, and bullying, making it best suited for older, mature readers within the 9-12 age range. Parents should be aware of the intense emotional content and complex social issues portrayed.
Why we rated More happy than not 10IE
More happy than not is written at a Level 5-6 reading level with a Lexile measure of 850L across 295 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 6.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, More happy than not works for readers up to grade 7.5.
We rate More happy than not as 10IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Child Abandonment, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Alcohol Abuse, Drug Use, Bullying, Parental Death.
Thematically, More happy than not explores friendship, coming of age, family, romance, and social justice — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Family book clubs, classroom read-alouds, and parents who want a strong conversation hook.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, coming of age, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
7/10Rich themes that spark meaningful family conversation. Great for book clubs and read-alouds.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781616955601
- Pages
- 295
- Publisher
- Soho Press
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction
- Lexile
- 850L